Mad Dogs
Canine Services
Professional Training and Dog Walking
services across Auckland.
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At Mad Dogs Canine Services, we believe that every dog is an individual and no two dogs are the same.
With over 10 years of industry experience we provide training and specialised dog walking designed to bring out the very best in your companion.
Our core philosophy is simple: animal welfare comes first, and our methods are entirely force-free, evidence based, and low-stress.
Services
Behaviour Consultation
Struggling with fear, reactivity or aggressive behaviour? Behaviour consultations are designed to gently uncover the why behind your dog’s behaviour.
Dog Walking
Incorporating both walking, training and enrichment, your dog will not only be worked physically but also mentally. After getting to know your dog, we will structure a session that is productive for your dog's holistic health and development.
Coaching Sessions
Struggling with recall or loose lead walking? Personalised one-on-one coaching sessions are designed to help you and your dog master the basics with confidence.
Why Choose Positive Reinforcement Training?
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Builds Trust and a Strong Bond
Positive reinforcement focuses on rewarding good behaviour instead of punishing mistakes. This creates a safe, trusting relationship between you and your dog—one where your dog wants to work with you, not avoid you.
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Encourages Willing Learning
Dogs learn faster and more enthusiastically when they know good things happen when they get it right — treats, praise, toys or play. This makes training sessions fun and keeps your dog motivated.
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Reduces Fear and Anxiety
Punishment-based methods can create fear or aggression. Positive reinforcement keeps training clear, consistent and kind—helping dogs feel safe and confident about learning new behaviours.
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Works for All Breeds and Ages
Positive reinforcement can work for everyone, whether you have a puppy, a rescue dog, or an older pet. It can be adapted to different needs, helping with everything from basic manners to complex tricks.
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Proven by Science
Modern animal behaviour research strongly supports positive reinforcement as the most effective, humane and ethical way to train animals.
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Teaches You Better Communication
You learn to watch for good behaviour and reward it, which improves how you understand and communicate with your dog. This will strengthen your relationship.
Testimonials
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Our boy Owen has the best time with Maddy! He always returns from his walks exhausted, which is a massive accomplishment in itself, as he is a very energetic Staffy/Collie. We are starting to see improvements in his behaviour as weeks go by and will definitely be continuing with her services.
— Charlie & Avya Hlavac | Owen
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Our two Golden Retrievers love their weekly walk and enrichment sessions with Maddy! We chose this service because both our dogs have some training work-ons that we weren’t spending enough time on; it’s great to have someone with Maddy’s skills and experience help us with those, and tire the boys out too! After three sessions, Barney, our rescue dog, is already very excited to see Maddy arrive, even though he was a little uncertain initially. She is doing wonders for his confidence - I have seen videos of him doing ‘paws up’ and ‘touch’ without hesitation. Maddy’s communication and Insta posts on the sessions are great too, we appreciate seeing what the boys are doing! We’re really happy with Maddy and would 100% recommend her to any dog owners.
— Samantha Kay | Barney & Oscar
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We love Mad Dogs! Maddy provided us with a range of options for our two Italian Greyhounds. Mad Dogs provides a unique combination of dog walking and training. Our boys gained both physical and mental enrichment in the same session. Great communication through the entire process with awesome advice as well. Highly recommend.
— Becca O'Shea | Monti & Diego
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Maddy works magic! We had an anxious dog who couldn't walk near the road and got overwhelmed after 30 mins of exercise. Maddy transformed her, to the point where she could sit before crossing the road and buses going past didn't worry her. She also helped us with enrichment ideas to keep our dog busy and stimulated when she couldn't cope with as much walking as she really needed. Maddy was fantastic for teaching her new tricks and helping us understand how to train her more effectively so we understood how to communicate with her. Thank you Maddy!
— Erika Soffe | Bettie
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Kyra and Flex had a wonderful time with Maddy while we were away on holiday. I love how Maddy listened to Flex as he has strong feelings and if he didn't want to go for a walk, she listened and didn't force him. Instead, Maddy spent time with him at home. She also had great communication on this matter. I love Maddy's force free approach, as this is something important to me.
— Margaret Stanaway | Kyra & Flex
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Maddy was amazing. Connected with our puppy immediately. Shared some really useful tips to help us get more confident with our training. Highly recommend.
— Justine Cormack | Eddie
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Maddy is very kind and helpful. I definitely recommend her services. Thank you Maddy for sharing your knowledge with my puppy 😁
— Jake Van
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Highly recommend Maddy. Very professional in her duties, takes time to know your wants and needs with your fur baby before putting in the work. Have noticed a significant change in behavior with our fur baby when taking her out on walks. Keep up the good work Maddy and thank you 😊
— MJ Tauia | Izu
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Hi Maddy,we all loved your dog training service. Us and our little paw learnt so much from you. Glad we found you at the right time. Awesome job done by you. Thanks :)
— Jyotika Lal | Ray
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Maddy is great with our quirky dog. She knows her stuff and our dog loves her.
— Lisa Peacock | Lexi
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Maddy has been awesome with my boy Shadow. I've seen a massive improvement in him. He loves spending time with Maddy. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for help with their dog.
— Sandy Webb | Shadow
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Maddy has been incredibly supportive. As first time dog owners with a very anxious rescue puppy, Maddy has been a wealth of knowledge.
— Sharon Coxx I Maggie
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My pup and I have had the pleasure of working with Maddy for over a year. She is easily one Yuri’s favourite people and gets the full body wriggles in anticipation for seeing Maddy. We have done puppy classes, walks, and coaching sessions with Maddy which have been instrumental in setting us up for success in that first year of puppy life.
Annie Chiang I Yuri
Frequently Asked Questions
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Positive reinforcement training rewards good behaviour instead of punishing mistakes. It helps build a strong bond between you and your dog, encourages willing learning, and reduces fear or anxiety. It's backed by science and tailored to each dog's unique personality and needs.
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A Meet & Greet is required for all new dog walking clients. It gives us a chance to meet your dog, understand their needs, and create a plan tailored just for them. It also helps your dog feel more relaxed and familiar before we begin.
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Mad Dogs currently services:
Central Auckland Suburbs
West Auckland Suburbs
North Shore Suburbs from the Harbour Bridge to Albany
East Auckland Suburbs - Mission Bay, Kohimaramara, St Heliers, Glendowie
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Absolutely! In fact, the best time to start training is as soon as you bring your puppy home. The early weeks are a critical period for learning, socialisation, and building positive habits, so there's no need to wait until your puppy has completed their vaccinations.
We take appropriate precautions by choosing low-risk training environments and tailoring sessions to your puppy's age and vaccination status. This allows your puppy to begin learning important life skills while minimising exposure to disease.
Starting training early helps build confidence, strengthens your bond, and can prevent unwanted behaviours from developing. We'll guide you through safe socialisation, foundation skills, and age-appropriate training so your puppy gets the very best start in life.
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I have over a decade of experience in the canine industry, with qualifications from Unitec in Animal Care and Canine Behaviour & Training. I’m also Pet First Aid and Fear Free certified and have hands-on experience in vet clinics, shelters, doggy daycares and alongside dog behaviour specialists.
ENROLMENT